New fighter jets could be coming to Fresno

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By Preston Phillips

Story Published: Mar 4, 2008 at 10:52 PM EDT

Story Updated: Mar 5, 2008 at 1:08 AM EDT

The Air National Guard is planning to replace their aging fleet of F-16 fighter jets with the F-22 raptor.

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It's the Air Force's latest war fighting tool.

Loaded with the ability to track, identify, shoot and kill air-to-air threat even before being detected, the F-22 Raptor is a fighter jet that cannot be matched to any other aircraft present or projected.

"They bring a lot of capabilities in one airplane that normally takes three," says Lt. Col. Clay Garrison.

Now, the Air National Guard right here in Fresno could be next to house a fleet of raptors, used to protect the southwestern part of the U.S. from enemy threats.

"The airplane is suited for homeland defense, because of its speed, manueverability, and centrifusion," says Garrison.

Only a handful of bases throughout the country are slated to house the fighter jets.

"Portland, Maine, Florida and California... It will be like building a barrier around the United States for Air Defense," says Garrison.

The Air National Guard here in Fresno is now hoping that by 2013, these F-22s will begin to replace their aging fleet of F-16 fighter jets.

Click on the link to see Preston Phillips' report.

View Oldest Comments First

Thursday, Jan 29 at 8:27 PM Dillon wrote ...

im going to be sad when the F-16C's leave, but when the F-22's come, that would be really awesome because that is a real nice jet once again from Lockheed Martin

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